Is Your House Ready for a New Kitten?

Before your new kitten arrives, take some time to kitten-proof your home. Kittens are curious, energetic, and surprisingly resourceful — a little preparation now prevents a lot of headaches later.

• Move or Hide Breakables: Stow any breakable or sentimental items away from the edges of tables and shelves — even behind closed doors. Kittens will find a way.
• Protect Cords: Secure cords to electronics and dangling blind cords — these are pure temptation for playful kittens. Bundle cords with zip ties or electrical tape, and keep phone chargers in a drawer out of reach.
• Keep Multiple Litter Boxes: Have at least two litter boxes placed in areas of your home where you spend the most time. This reduces the chance of your kitten marking territory outside the box. See our guide on teaching your cat to use the litter box for setup tips.
• Keep Them Off Your Counters: Though not yet the agile jumpers their elders are, kittens can still reach surprising heights. Try placing double-sided tape on placemats on your counters and dining table — the sticky surface discourages repeat jumping.
• Protect the Food: Keep cat food in a secure location. Kittens can easily claw through paper bags. Pour kitten food into a sealable plastic or metal bin and store it in a closed cabinet or pantry.
• Set Up a Safe Home Base: Before bringing your kitten home, prepare a quiet room with a cozy cat bed, litter box, food, and water. This gives them a safe space to decompress before exploring the rest of the house.

Once your home is ready, check out our guides on welcoming home your new kitten and how to socialize your cat or kitten for the next steps.